Morris puts kink in Mudhens playoff hopes

The Morris Eagles put a kink in Minneota's drive for a berth in the state tournament when they beat the Mudhens, 7-2 on Friday in Dawson.

The Dumont Saints beat Chokio Friday night in Madison to advance in the winners bracket.

The Saints won the thriller in the bottom of the ninth. Two runners ere on and the Saints got a a walk-off hit by Paul Zach to win it.

As a result, Dumont and Morris advance as the two undefeated teams.

Minneota drops into the losers bracket and will play at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Rosen against Clinton, an 8-3 winner over Cottonwood.

The Section 9C Tournament this weekend will be played in Rosen. Here's the lineup:

Elimination round:

Clinton 8, Cottonwood 4

(Cottonwood eliminated)

4 p.m. —Dawson 11, Hancock 6

    (Hancock eliminated)

Sunday, August 4

1 p.m. — Minneota vs. Clinton

3:30 p.m. — Chokio vs. Dawson

Morris Eagle 7, Minneota Mudhens 2

From the start the Morris Eagles proved they weren't in awe of Minneota "ace" Danny Hennen or his 10-1 season record.

In the first three innings they pounded out eight hits and scored five runs to take a 5-0 lead with their "ace", Jake Torgerson on the mound.

Minneota never caught up.

The hit that set the tone of the game was a two-run home run by Ryan Beyer in the first inning, following a booming double to the wall by Kirby Marquart.

"They hit the ball — they're a good team," said Minneota Manager Tyson Sonnenburg.

Minneota, on the other had was having trouble connecting for hits. In fact, when the game ended, three Mudens had all eight hits. Sonnenburg had three and scored both Minneota runs while Austin Buysse also connected for three hits and Preston Nuy, who went 2-4, knocked in Sonnenburg twice.

That was it.

Meanwhile, Torgerson fanned six batters, five in the final three innings, including the side in the ninth.

"We have to try something," Manager Sonnenburg said when he replaced Hennen with Zach Nuy in the sixth inning.

Nuy pitched very well, striking out seven while allowing just two hits. But in the eighth, after a Sean Amundson double, it appeared Minneota had him hung up between third and home — but the ball came loose and Drager, while he got it in time, interfered with the runner and the run was allowed to scored.

"It was interference, I had no choice," Drager said later.

Yet, Nuy pitched a strong game in relief.

Brady Jergenson had three hits and scored three runs and Bryce Jergenson also had three hits and knocked in two runs to lead Morris at the plate.

"They hit everything hard in the gap," said Manager Minneota Sonnenburg.

He felt it may have been different if the two teams would have played last Sunday instead of getting rained out. "They would have had to pitch their second or third pitcher and not their ace," he felt.

Minneota is still alive in the double elimination tournament and will play Clinton or Cottonwood at 1 p.m. Sunday in Rosen.

Minneota will likely start Peyton Nuy and have Bryce Gorder and Beau Buysse pitching ready in reserve.

MINNEOTA (AB-R-H-RBI) Beau Buysse, 2b 4 0 0 0; Jake Leighton, rf 4 0 0 0; Tyson Sonnenburg, cf 4 2 3 -; Austin Buysse, 3b 4 0 3 0; Preston Nuy, ss 4 0 2 2; Alex Pohlen, lf 4 0 0 0; Noah Scott, dh 4 0 0 0; Jesse Drager, c 0 0 0 0; Danny Hennen, p 3 0 0 0; Zach Nuy, p 1 0 0 0; Austin DeVlaeminck, 1b 3 0 0 0. Totals 34 2 8 2.

MORRIS (AB-R-H-RBI) Bryce Jergenson, ss 4 0 3 2; Tanner Picht, cf 4 0 0 0; Kirby Marquart, 1b 5 0 1 2; Ryan Beyer, lf 5 1 1 2; Mac Beyer, 3b 4 0 0 0; Tyler Henrichs, rf 5 1 1 1; Brady Jergenson, c 3 3 3 0; Eric Asche, dh 3 0 1 0; Jake Torgerson, p 0 0 0 0; Sean Amundson, 2b 3 1 2 2. Totals 36 7 13 6.

Score by Innings:

Morris 212 010 010 — 7 13 0

Minneota 000 101 000 — 2 8 1

E-Minneota: Leighton. LOB-Minneota 6; Morris 7. SAC-Morris: Bryce Jorgenson. Interference: Minneota: Drager. 2B-Morris: Marquart, Brady Jergenson, Amundson. HR-Morris: Ryan Beyer.

Pitching IP R ER H BB K

Minneota

Hennen (L) 5 6 6 11 3 5

Nuy 4 1 1 2 0 7

Morris

Torgerson (W) 9 2 2 8 0 6

HP-Asche (by Hennen).